Theatre group brings housing activism to Edinburgh festival
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A theatre company currently performing at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh has created a piece of activist theatre which aims to make some noise about the housing crisis facing the UK.
Developed with Battersea Arts Centre and The Civic in Barnsley, The Focus E15 Mothers’ Story hopes to rally local groups in the area to come and see the show and support the cause.
With the tagline “We want social housing, not social cleansing”, the show tells the story of 29 young mothers facing skyrocketing rent and forced relocation who unite to confront Newham Council’s gentrification of their hometown.
Two years on, this bold and pertinent piece of theatre examines the Focus E15 movement, Britain’s housing crisis and how one group of women refused to be marginalized.
Adapted from real-life testimonies of activists, witnesses and councillors, ‘E15’ addresses the themes of community, strength and solidarity in the face of overwhelming adversity.
In 2015, FYSA Theatre and its production of ‘The 56’ were recipients of The Spotlight Award for Most Promising Actress, The Director’s Guild Award for Best Newcomer and the Judges Award for Most Promising Ensemble (NSDF). ‘The 56’ was also shortlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award 2014.
E15 will run at the Gilded Balloon (The Balcony) at 19:45 until August 31st.
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